Tag: thrifting/flea market finds


Aug
2018

When Life Gives You Lemons…

categories: Flea Market Finds/Thrifting, My Simple Home, Simple Recipes, Summer

“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”.

That is exactly what I did on one of the many very hot days we have had in the past several weeks.

Hard to find anything more refreshing than ice cold lemonade.

A treat for me and hubby when we are sitting together, on our small back porch, which is most days.

Of course, I made a bright beautiful tray out of a thrift store frame, and a lemon filled fabric swatch.

I suppose it does seem as if I am obsessed with making trays.  Maybe so, but they are just so easy and inexpensive to put together, making just a wonderful addition to any table.

The frame I found at the thrift store for $1.00 was large, perfect for my lemonade pitcher and glasses.

A fresh coat of black paint, and simple black screen door handles, completed this summer project.

If I can find a day when my sewing machine doesn’t hate me, I want to make a few napkins out of the remaining lemon fabric.

Lemon print toss pillows, found at Kirkland’s, helped to brighten up my living room for the summer.

The print on the pillows is so wonderful, soft colors!

I like to use toss pillows in the living room, adding color to any season, and they also allow my old outdated wing back chairs look so much better.

To end my “lemon” post, I want to share a recipe I tried from a sweet new cookbook, Magnolia Table, by Joanna Gaines.

I do not buy a bunch of cookbooks, but this one is special.  The recipes are fairly simple, and the photos in the book of Joanna’s farm are lovely.

This lemon pie was so very yummy!  My family loved it!

Definitely a summer dessert.

Here is the link to the recipe.

“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”, make the best of what you are given, make something good out of a bad experience, turn a negative into a positive.

We are all given bad situations to deal with in this life, but if we ask for God’s blessings, we deal with them, get through them, and move on!

I hope you “squeeze” all kinds of happiness and joy out of this day!

Love to all.

 

 


Jul
2018

Thrift Store Finds – Loved Again!

categories: Flea Market Finds/Thrifting, My Simple Home

Last week, I worked on three small thrift store items, brought home to “relove”.

A beat up tin rooster, a wire basket, and a metal bulletin board.

Cleaned, scrubbed, spray painted, done!

The tin rooster was missing a wing, and could no longer stand up, but he caught my eye just the same!

A bit of cleaning, glue, and matte black spray paint, was all needed to love this tin rooster, and to find a special spot for him in my kitchen.

He is standing tall again, with that “farmhouse” look perfect for my simple kitchen.

The boring wire basket, just needed to be brighten up, and the metal bulletin board, in almost new condition, just needed to be cleaned.

Two coats of my favorite gold spray paint, Rust-Oleum metallic gold, really transformed the wire basket from dull to bright.

The basket is a great addition to the desk area in my spare bedroom.  Perfect to hold extra pillows or throws, or maybe another place to hold my many books.

I love beautiful books, they are one of the joys in my life.

The metal bulletin board caught my eye because of the really sweet scalloped, eyelet trim.

So cute!

Found a spot for the board above my Mom’s old rocking chair, displaying family photos, she would like that!

Displaying photos, another joy for me.

I am all about enjoying photos, using them whenever posssible, framing and placing around my home, or using them in any event or project.

Pleased with all my items, worth the total cost of $5!

Three items, found and loved, by me!

Happy day!

 


Jun
2018

Tin Can Herb Garden

categories: DIY, Flea Market Finds/Thrifting

I have never grown herbs!

The reason, I suppose, is that I am not a great cook, although I am trying to improve in that area.

But…I have been looking at my so-called “bucket list” and growing herbs is on it!

Most folks might have wonderful, amazing trips, and daring adventures on their lists, but not me.

My wants are simple ones!

Cookie tins purchased at the thrift store for 25 cents each, was the start of my herb growing project.

I spray painted the tins with a black matte paint.

Punched holes in the tins for drainage, and placed several stones in the bottom of each tin, before planting my herbs.

I purchased three herbs at my garden store to start, basil, oregano, and cilantro.

Made some cute tags to finish up, tied on each tin with black and white twine.

There are many free herb printables on Pinterest, or simple wood sticks would also work if you wanted markers.

My plants will stay out on my back porch for now, but will be moved inside later.

I have a large garden window in my kitchen which will allow plenty of light for growing in the winter.

My sweet kitty loves to sit in the window.

Isn’t she so beautiful?

We love her so!

Crossed off my “bucket list”, herb garden!

This was a fun, simple, one day project, and I am so very pleased with the way it turned out!

Love them!

Thanks for letting me share today, it has been awhile!

Life brings highs and lows to our daily lives, interruping our everyday routines, doesn’t it?

Hope your day is filled with nothing but beautiful, wonderful highs today!

Love to all.


May
2018

Whimsy Flower Boxes

categories: Crafts, DIY, Flea Market Finds/Thrifting, Home Projects, Spring

Just loving the weather we are having!

I remember, in the cold of winter, looking out my kitchen window, longing for the warmth, the green, the colors, the sounds, of this glorious time of the year.

It’s here, I am so pleased and thankful!

Love to add whimsy things to my porch and yard, simple fun things.

Found this plain wood box at the thrift store some time back, stashed it away, I knew I would find a way to use it eventually.

I also found this old flower box in my garage, from years ago, when I displayed at craft fairs.

It was a popular item I made and sold some 20 years ago!

Both boxes just needed a bit of sanding, some paint, and little time to turn into two whimsy flower boxes.

Take a look at my old boxes now!

Love them!

The addition of a knob from Hobby Lobby gave the plain box, now painted white, that little extra it needed to be special.

The picket fence box didn’t need much, I still loved the primitive look from so many years ago.  Just repaired the mini birdhouse on the fence, sanded and cleaned.

Adding flowers was the final touch.

Oh my gosh, to me, they are so beautiful!

Do fun, whimsy things today!

Giggle and love today!

See ya!


Apr
2018

Side Table Refresh

categories: Flea Market Finds/Thrifting, Home Projects

Hello friends!

Today I want to share a $12 thrift store side table refresh.

The table was in pretty good shape when I purchased it some time ago. Not much to do, some scratches and nicks to repair, especially on the wood top, and I wanted to change the color.

This is the before.

Here is the side table now.

Love it!

I wanted a table in our small upstairs hall, right in front of the hall bathroom. This table was the perfect size for the available wall space.

I used the same paint as the bathroom vanity I refreshed last year.

The knob is one that I already had, and I really like the way it looks on the table drawer.  Love the small bit of gold.

For now, I have placed a battery operated candle on the table, a perfect night light in the hall.

As with most of my projects, it was easy, simple, fun, and a great sense of accomplishment when completed.

Cleaning, sanding before painting, and staining the wood top, that was all I did to this table.

I am a picky thrift store shopper, cleaning all items thoroughly, and cleaning again, is a must for me.

Right now I am not buying and bringing home items that I do not need.  My home is not large, and I already feel I have hoarded enough stuff.

This table is my largest project to date.  It turned out amazing, at little cost.  A new table for this space would probably cost over $100.

I am pleased, so very pleased, with my small table refresh.

A few more items to finish before the weather warms, I so want to be outside working in my yard.

Love today, laugh today, be so thankful today!

 


Mar
2018

Happy Day Out!

categories: Flea Market Finds/Thrifting

Last week I had such a wonderful, happy day out!

Before meeting my sweet sister for lunch, I stopped by the thrift store.

Found this really special bed tray for $4.00.

I had never seen one like this before, and was sure it was a vintage piece.

Well, I was sure until I found a small sticker on the back, “made in China”!

Bummer!

No matter, I love it just the same.

It only needed a bit of work, cleaned and scrubbed, sanded, two coats of white chalk paint, and a coat of wax sealer to finish up!

I also sanded the edges, so the tray didn’t have such a perfect look about it.

Love the scalloped edges, also that it can be a flat tray or bed tray.

Love it!

There are many days when I need to be alone, those many cold winter days, days when I can’t go out and sit on my back porch, so I retreat to my bed, have my coffee and read.

Have you noticed that it doesn’t take too much for me to have a happy day?

Just simple things!

A thrift store project, lunch, and lots of hugs from my sister.

Thanks for stopping by and letting me share with all of you today.

I love that I made this “vintage tray” like new again.

Blessings.

 


Feb
2018

The Old Desk Drawer

categories: Flea Market Finds/Thrifting

Don’t mean to bore you all with something I have mentioned many times before, but I love school things, especially vintage ones.

Did not necessarily like school, but loved all the things that go with school, paper, crayons, pencils, and such.

I always wanted to be an elementary art school teacher.  I know, I have mentioned that before too!

God must have had other plans for my life, since it did not happen.  Maybe I just didn’t try to make it happen!  We all need to help ourselves with dreams, I think I gave up on mine!

I knew the first time I saw this old desk drawer, on the floor at the flea market, that it would come to life again, as a chalkboard!

It did!

The wood is quite nice, I loved the warm color.  It reminded me of the large wood framed chalkboards in classrooms when growing up, I can close my eyes and see them!

When I think of my early school days, I can almost smell the cute jar of paste with the little brush attached.  Remember?

I just cleaned the old drawer a bit, and painted the inside with chalkboard paint, that was it!

It has found a place in my creative work area, it is really a special piece, I love it!!

Thanks for letting me share this project with you.

I wonder what happened to the rest of the desk?

Love to all, don’t give up on your dreams!

 


Jan
2018

DIY Buffalo Check Tray

categories: DIY, Flea Market Finds/Thrifting, Home Projects

Oh my gosh, I am so finished with winter.

We have gone through snow, ice, and freezing temperatures, lasting for weeks.

Brrrr…………!

This weather has been horrible, a birthday spoiler, a cabin fever maker, a junk food eating enabler!

I did manage to pull myself away from our warm fire to work on a few projects, and also to have a bit of much needed alone time.  Love my husband bunches, but being together all day, everyday, for weeks, is difficult at times!

It only took one simple completed project, to get me feeling so much better.

You all know I love trays, and another favorite of mine is buffalo check things, especially black and white.

Using, of course, a thrift store frame, a small piece of leftover wrapping paper, and some Hobby Lobby handles, all that I needed to create and complete.

The first step was taking the frame apart and giving it a thorough cleaning, inside and out.  It was in new condition, so I did not need to paint the frame.

I did sand the edges, all around, so it did not seem so perfect, and added a bit of stain to my sanding.

The buffalo check paper was cut to the size of the inside mat, and a bit of glue added to secure.

Added the galvanized handles with some shallow screws from the inside, reassembled, and my project was complete!

Love the way it turned out, it really is as “farmhouse chic” as any tray I have seen in stores and online.

I really love the farmhouse look, so popular now, wish I lived in a small farmhouse home somewhere wonderful!

Trays can be used in so many ways, love it on my wicker chest at the foot of our bed.

Less than $5 to complete.

One step, one project, I feel better now, ready to move on to other fun creative things!

It is really true, that just taking that first step, can be the beginning of changing any part of our lives needing a push of encouragement.

Now maybe I can use my own words to encourage myself to get on that much needed treadmill!

The sun just came out, around 49 degrees today, “Oh Happy Day”!

Love you all!

 

 


Nov
2017

Thrift Store Treasures

categories: Flea Market Finds/Thrifting

My last visit to the thrift store was so fun.

Take a look at my wonderful finds.

Loved this beautiful, white ironstone covered dish the moment I saw it!

It was tucked away behind a pile of bowls, as if someone was hiding it, or as if it was waiting for that special person to find it, and love it!  Me!

The price $2.00.

I can hardly wait to use it on my Thanksgiving table, filled with mashed potatoes.

Also found these really cute popcorn bowls.

There were four on the shelf, but one was cracked.  Three works great for my family’s popcorn night.

The bowls had a Crate and Barrel print on the bottom, they were 50 cents each.

They are really nice!

You can see that white is my preference for dishes and such, I just love the simplicity.

This set of four small bowls are the perfect size for my husband’s most asked for treat, ice cream.

The bigger the bowl, the more ice cream it takes to fill, less is better at this time in our lives.

Jim’s favorite ice cream, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip.  Yummy!

Perfect condition, 50 cents each.

The last item I want to share, surprisingly, is not white.

When I saw this candy cane striped container, I knew it would be perfect as an inexpensive gift for a neighbor or co-worker, filled with Christmas cookies in a cellophane bag, tied with a red ribbon. The container was 25 cents.

I am always on the lookout for Christmas plates or containers for holiday cookie or candy giving.

After the goodies are gone, there is a Christmas keepsake, or maybe the gifted person can reuse, fill up, and give to someone else the next year.

All my items for the day’s visit, $6.00.

Years ago I would never think of going to a thrift store.  I suppose I thought things were all dirty and junky.

Not so!

Everything I buy can be cleaned and scrubbed, usually in nearly perfect condition.

Hope you all enjoyed viewing my finds as much as I loved bringing them home.

Over the years, especially as we grow older, many of our serving items are chipped from use, the thrift store can be the place to replace needed items for a very low price.

Silly, and I know a bit crazy, but I often wonder why folks give away their things.

Unwanted things, that now have a new home.

I know you all are busy getting ready for Thanksgiving, so thanks for visiting my post today.

See ya all next time!

 

 

 


Oct
2017

My Tin Can Pumpkin

categories: Autumn, DIY, Flea Market Finds/Thrifting

Recently I posted about my trip to the Country Living Fair in Columbus, Ohio.

The one item I really wanted to buy was an old galvanized oil can with a pumpkin face.  Loved it, but it was priced at $68.95!  I could not justify spending that amount.  I tried to, but no!

Could not get it off my mind, so when I saw this old rusted can at the flea market for $9.50, I started thinking.

The old can was a beautiful rusty orange, perfect for a pumpkin face. I put it in my cart, it was mine!

I did not want to paint a face on my can, and I had no way to cut out a face, so I simply used a magnetic sheet I found at Michael’s, cut out the face with scissors, and placed on my can.

It was perfect!

God must have blessed my flea market trip for me to be able to find the perfect can for this project, and the fact that it was a rusty orange color was a bonus blessing.

Not sure of just where my tin can pumpkin will eventually end up, maybe near the front door with the mums and real pumpkins.

But our back porch area might be the best place.

I can enjoy “him” from my kitchen window throughout the day, and when I sit having my coffee.

Hope you all had a beautiful fall weekend.

Our weather in Ohio has been wonderful, cool mornings, and warm afternoons.

Blessings to all today, blessings great and even small ones like finding just the right tin can!